Burt lands powerful finance committee

SANTA FE -- State Sen. Bill Burt, of Alamogordo, was assigned Thursday to serve on the powerful Senate Finance committee during the 51st Legislature.

The Senate Finance committee debates and deliberates the passage or death of each piece of legislation that requires state financial support. If a piece of legislation does not pass muster of the Senate Finance committee, it dies in committee and will not make it to the Senate floor for a vote that session.

Burt, a Republican and businessman in Alamogordo, was chosen to sit on the Senate Finance Committee because of his expertise and because he represents south-central New Mexico.

"Sen. Burt's perspective as a private sector business owner and his perspective from the geographic region he represents will be very valuable on the committee," Senate Republican Leader Stuart Ingle, of Portales, said.

While all senators receive two committee assignments, those serving on Senate Finance Committee receive one assignment because of the demands of that committee.

"The voices of businessmen and women throughout the state will be heard loud and clear on the Senate Finance Committee," Burt said. "I will examine all of the bills that require financing from taxpayers, with a keen eye on how our local businesses will be affected if the bill passes."

Burt is one of 10 members on Senate Finance Committee.

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He has served in the Senate since 2011. In addition to serving as a citizen legislator, Burt is president and general manager of Burt Broadcasting Inc., a radio station company in Alamogordo.

His community service has included president of the New Mexico Broadcasters, president of the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce, and various local nonprofit organizations. He is a Holloman Air Force Base wingman and member of the governor's New Mexico Military Base Planning Commission.

Burt was raised in Deming and attended Deming High School. He received a bachelor's degree in mass communications from New Mexico State University in 1974.

He has been married to his wife, Donnie, for 37 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.

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